By Sharon Sherwood, Chief of Mental Health and Cabrini Outreach

Since joining Cabrini, I have found myself on an unexpected but profoundly moving spiritual journey – one that has reshaped the way I lead, connect, and live. This journey came into beautiful focus earlier this year, when I had the privilege of walking in the footsteps of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini through Rome, Codogno, and Sant’Angelo. To walk the very paths she once walked, to sit in her chapel, to stand in the places where her vision took root, was nothing short of transformative.

In Cabrini, I anchor myself in the heart of a community inspired by faith, strengthened by compassion, and committed to care, and while in Codogno, that anchor deepened in a way I hadn’t anticipated. As I stood beside her humble beginnings, walked quietly through the museum, and wrote a letter to her in her bedroom, I was overwhelmed by the spirit of someone whose strength wasn’t found in comfort or circumstance, but in unshakable courage and an unwavering conviction to serve the vulnerable, the forgotten, the voiceless.

Her words echo through my heart: “We can serve our weakness, or we can serve our purpose.”

What I discovered in Italy wasn’t just history, it was a presence, a living spirit, a grace-filled joy. I felt a renewed sense of vocation, a calling not just to lead but to lead with heart. Leadership at Cabrini is more than a position, it is a sacred duty to create a space of belonging, healing, and love. I carry that duty humbly and wholeheartedly.

In Codogno and Sant’Angelo, I didn’t just encounter sacred places, I encountered extraordinary people who carry Mother Cabrini’s mission quietly and deeply in their everyday lives. One of the most memorable parts of the experience was meeting Sister Teresina. From the moment we met, she welcomed me not just with words, but with her presence, calm, kind, and full of grace (maybe not her driving)! There was a strength in her softness, a devotion that didn’t need to be spoken.

She gave so generously of her time, and in doing so, gave me something more enduring: a sense of being completely seen and accepted. Her faith didn’t arrive with expectation or instruction, it arrived gently, like an open hand. She didn’t ask anything of me, and yet through her actions, I understood what it means to truly live with Mother Cabrini, not just in admiration of her legacy, but in the quiet daily commitment to live her values.

Through Sister Teresina and the other beautiful Sisters I met, I saw a way of leading that is not about authority, but about presence. They embody their purpose with humility, treating every person, no matter their background or beliefs with dignity, kindness, and compassion. They don’t impose faith; they invite you into something deeper, something human and holy.

Her 175th birthday reminds us that the Cabrini mission is not frozen in time. It is a living, breathing force, a global family across Australia, Guatemala, Eswatini, Ethiopia, the United States, and Italy. We came together in Rome not just to reflect on our shared legacy, but to imagine together how we could be Pilgrims of Hope in a world that desperately needs light.

I want to be guided by the theme of the Jubilee, and with Pope Francis’ words resonating, “Hope does not disappoint”, we passed through the Holy Doors of Rome’s great basilicas and sent letters to those we care for. We stood united with health and mission leaders from across the globe, exploring how Cabrini ministries can respond with faith-driven care, innovation, and compassion. For me, this was not just a gathering it was something…. I struggle to put into words…. it was something holy. Something eternal. I cannot fully describe it, but I felt it. A soul-stirring alignment, a moment where purpose, love, and hope braided themselves together inside of me. It was like a veil had lifted, and for a fleeting moment, I could glimpse what it means to truly belong to something larger than myself. It wasn’t just spiritual, it was transformational, cathartic, life-affirming.

What I felt so profound was that Mother Cabrini’s legacy lives on, not in stone monuments or old texts, but in the living pulse of those who embody her values. It lives in the sisters supporting one another through challenge and change. It lives in the hearts of those who choose courage over comfort, and purpose over fear and it lives in each of us who dare to lead with heart. As I continue my journey, I now carry with me a heart transformed, a purpose renewed, and a deep trust that where love leads, hope will always follow.

As I return to the complex and often uncertain world of healthcare, I don’t always feel ready. But I feel more ready than I’ve ever been, because I know I belong. I know I am part of something special. I carry Mother Cabrini’s legacy not just in my thoughts, but in my soul.